My public-sector employer has a limited number of free accessible parking spaces. Everyone else has to pay £85 a week for parking.
My employer has a limited number of accessible parking bays. (Public sector employer, not a private business.)
These parking bays are free.
The private car park nearby charges £85 a week for spaces.
I have a lifelong limp, blue badge, and standard rate mobility component of PIP (no daily living rate or Motability car.) I need to use a cane to travel.
I cannot get a space, despite my limp.
This is because the limited number of spaces have already been claimed. I have complained and have been made aware that it is being given on a first-come, first-served basis, rather than medical severity.
As a result I am having to pay £85 a week for parking 300+ meters away from my office (and having to repeatedly stop to rest), while the disabled spaces have been taken by those with mental disabilities which do not limit physical mobility. There is also a woman who was obese, went on Ozempic, lost weight, but has refused to give up her space.
The trade union has failed me. They put pressure on the public sector employer to get more disabled parking spaces. Facilities managment said "no." Then the union shrugged and said there was nothing they could do.
Is there anything else I can do here?
Does my employer have any legal obligations to get me an accessible parking bay?
Honestly, I don't mind if it is free or not - I just want to be able to get to work without hacing to limp 300+ meters!!!